Archive for December, 2007
DECEMBER 8. 2007
I slept most of the day after the 5th spinal stem cell treatment. I woke up achy and did not feel well all day. So far we have not seen any more improvements. However, I know in all honesty we must give this time.
DECEMBER 9, 2007
Sunday arrives and I am feeling much better. I wanted to take a trip outside on to the street in my wheelchair. Something I haven’t done yet……just to see the real China. We decided to go to the grocery and similar store like a Walmart. They are in one building with rolling ramps connecting (no stairs). On the street it is amazing that you can go from the 16th century to the 20th in the blink of an eye. The people are still using rickshaws some are bike peddled and some are electric skooter driven. The people here use more skooters than cars. We had a delightful day doing some shopping and eating out……..and would you believe I am feeling much better. My outlook remains very positive.
DECEMBER 10, 2007
This is the day I leave and I am ready for the USA. The entire staff surrounds my bed to check on me and give me their farewells. Much of the staff gave us a wonderful send off following us in the elevator and out to our van which will take us to Shangahi. I am told by Dr. Ma that walking is in my future………praise the Lord. I must do therapy and some hard work. He wants me to find a chinese acupuncturist in my home area. We have already started to look. He says I must keep up the format they were using…….to get full results. He also tells me the full impact of the stem cells will be 2 months to 1 year……I am pleased. I am much better off than when I arrived in China that is for sure.
DECEMBER 11, 2007
After a very long flight I am at home in Apollo, Pennsylvania and feeling fine. We have to date found a chinese acupuncturist. Dr. Martin was kind enough to list the kind of massage and kung fu acupuncture he specifically used on me. I am smiling because I will now be able to use the same chinese techniques in the USA. I remain positive and look ahead to brighter tommorrows.
wal
December 15th, 2007
DECEMBER 5, 2007
Not noticing much difference yet. I am now standing for 40 minutes. I again await for a brand new tommorrow. I do, however, think it is about time I shared my thoughts about my chinese caregiver, LISHEN. I have been more than blessed and pleased with her constant care. We have bonded closely with her teaching me chinese and vice versa with english from me to her. I will be sad to leave her the care she has given me is number one. She gets up during the night to turn me to avoid getting bed sores and quite frankly helped heal the one I came with. It is now perfectly healed. She has massaged my hands and worked my fingers wrapping them in hot towels and placing them in plastic bags for over an hour……changing the towels to keep them hot. The results have been excellent. She has grooming expertise. Never forgetting anything. LIZHEN has been my chinese ANGEL. Angels I am told are all over the world and she is in Hangzhou, China. If you decide to come to China for the stem cell treatment she is the best one you could find here. She tries to cross the language barrier and make things easier of you. Also, she is the best cheerleader I have ever had……giving me hope all of the time even when I get sad……she tells me keep a “happy heart” in her broken english. And so, when I leave here I will leave a piece of my happy heart with her in China. My wish is that LISHEN will be blessed for the rest of her life.
DECEMBER 6, 2007
Awakened out of my sleep at 4 AM with a warning for a bowel movement. This has not happened for two years. I am smiling now. Also, I am now gaining strength in my right hand and arm. I am now able to help the caregiver when turning from side to side by using the bed rails. Also, I tested my balance and I am able to balance without holding on to the bedrails. Extremely positive vibes are with me as I look forward to the spinal stem cell treatment tommorrow.
DECEMBER 7, 2007
Receiving spinal stem cell injection at 2 PM today. Doctors are now conferring with Dr. Martin the therapist to see about standing me behind a wheelchair or the bars for walking….this will not be until tommorrow or the next day. It leaves me to believe that this 5th and final injection would be my pivot point. I am more excited now than a baby because I can not remember taking my first step then but I will always remember this. I believe that if I make one step then………in time another will follow and then another after that. I feel my God is with me with each effort I will give. We can do nothing without his care. Better news for tommorrow!!!!!
December 7th, 2007
DECEMBER 4, 2007
The doctors are starting to train me for control of my incontenience today. Unbelievable overnight strength given to my right hand . I am so happy at the strength in my entire right arm. As of today I now have control of my left arm movement from elbow to hand and I have about 85% hand movement with fingers starting to open. I have not taken a blood pressure pill for 20 days…..and my pressure is posing no problem whatso ever. I write with a happy heart (which the nurses say I must have for the body to heal) looking forward to the 5th and final spinal stem cell treatment. There will be a bright tommorrow!!!!
December 5th, 2007
NOVEMBER 30, 2007
I was determined to get up and eat at a small table in my room looking out the window with a lovely view. But this tired my body and I had chills for the rest of the day. Finally this put me back in my bed.
DECEMBER 1, 2007
We colored my hair but the hair did not accept the color as it had before. Could this be the stem cell treatment we do not know. I am planning an outing to Hangzhou. I have decided on buying something for myself for all the pain and suffering I have gone through.
DECEMBER 2, 2007
Our driver Mr. Lee, found a new way to get me in and out of a car. This was a most beautiful day. We were going to a small catholic church named Santa Maria Church of the Immaculate built in 1661 in Hangzhou. The church had been closed and reopened by many presidents of China over the years. It is walled off the main streets by a cement wall and the parking lot was only 6 car lengths. We were lucky to have witnessed a celebration. Balloons were tied in an arch over the church entrance. We realized a wedding was going on. Women were decorating the pews with one gladoli and pink tule. The crash was red. Priests and choir members were dressed in red and white robes. The church is sparcely decorated no piano or organ here. The priests and members each acknowledged our presence , we said a quick prayer and left. I now decided on a gold necklace for myself and many gold stores were visited. White gloved guards and salespersons were available to us. Like any other woman my choice brought me back to the first store……..the driver had a hard time understanding we wanted to go back…..he kept telling us we had already been there. Finally he understood and was laughing as he drove. When we arrived back again the parking attendant was laughing……..as were the gloved guards. Apparently this is never done in China….. you either buy then or not. You never return!!!! We ended the day with dinner at Hooter’s. It was a delightful day.
DECEMBER 3, 2007
Two new doctors are now on my case, Dr. Jules and Dr. Towle. Dr. Ma the head physician was with them. My spinal stem cell injection is scheduled for 2 PM. I was given acupuncture in the AM and this was painful to me. I must lay on my back still for 6 hours after the spinal injection . This time I had some side effects. This time I had nausea and pain. My left hand regressed and my right hand gained strength in the wrist movement and grip. I asked the doctors what can I expect long term………he said in two months I should see the effects of the treatment. So I will wait with an anxious heart putting my faith in the Lord who has gotten me this far.
and wris
l
December 4th, 2007
